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The Tweeter: Jerry Seinfeld, @SeinTime, Joins the Twitterverse

Of the many words to describe the influence and greatness of Seinfeld’s career, one certainly at the top of the list is showmanship. He always knew how to hit the high note and walk away from the stage. He is still a paragon of comedy in society, and his latest endeavor sees the perennially funny entertainer is taking to the world of 140 characters and Twitter.

Last Friday, Seinfeld’s showmanship headed to Twitter, with the following inaugural Tweet, from @SeinTime: “Greetings Tweetarians! I have just landed on your Planet. This could be my last Tweet.” It was and is indeed him, as confirmed in an email to the New York Times from his press agent, “It’s really Jerry. The day we’ve all been waiting for.”

Jerry Seinfeld, in the years well before Twitter.Credit:

Well, I don’t know if it that momentous an occasion, but it still is something. And it wasn’t, but so far he has been sparse in his Tweeting; indeed it is strange for anyone when they initially start, but there is certainly lots of potential for a man who had the funniest show of the 1990’s.

He was able to end his “Seinfeld,” before it became unfunny and tiresome, leaving on a high note. He knew how long to stay away from the spotlight, and has picked his spots in returning, making occasional appearances on the shows of his comedian friends David Letterman, Jon Stewart, and Garry Shandling. He also was instrumental in working with Larry David to create Seinfeld reunion show within the show, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Earlier this year Seinfeld launched a website that once again stressed showmanship. It was a simple portal, offering three short clips of his standup from over the years. The pieces totaled only a matter of minutes, but were a perfect escape during the day, and the site was refreshed every 24 hours. It’s an effective idea in this world that drowns people in news and gossip, when fifteen minutes of fame last fifteen seconds and people come and go so quickly.

Seinfeld is never in danger or becoming irrelevant, and moving to Twitter, a medium he said hadn’t shown must interest in, should provide another entertaining outlet for him.

With only a handful of tweets in the books, it is too early to tell just exactly how funny Seinfeld will be on Twitter. With many comedians coming before him, it is clear that not everyone can translate the funny they create on television, in movies, and at comedy clubs to the Twittersphere.

In less than one week he has already amassed nearly 155,000 followers, but follows only three: his wide, and comedians Colin Quinn and Tom Papa. His most recent tweet is a bit charming as well, “He latest Going to Maine today to pick up kid from camp. Why did Nazis call it Concentration Camp? So misleading in so many ways.”

It will be fascinating to see where he goes with, and while it may not be among his most entertaining work, it’s a curious effort and should provide at least a few laughs along the way.